Ceiling and wall panel clips

ABSTRACT

Ceiling and wall panel clip assemblies are characterized by wall and ceiling panel clips having extending fingers that engage companion U-shaped spring-steel panel clips attached to various panels for securing the panels to a framework or grid on the wall or ceiling of a structure. The ceiling panel clip includes a main tee characterized by a main tee leg, typically fitted with a top cross member and a bottom cross member and extending downwardly to a finger mount that mounts the three fingers which engage the corresponding panel clips in a friction-fit. In one embodiment the ceiling panel clips accommodate a support clip fitted over the top of the main tee at the top cross member and having a flange and a downwardly-extending leg attached to a lanyard secured to a decorative ceiling panel, for safety purposes. The wall panel clips include a finger mount flange for supporting the three outwardly-extending panel fingers that engage the companion panel clips attached to selected wall panels. Mount openings are provided in the finger mount flange for receiving screws and securing the finger mount flange to a wall structure or a wall and mounting the panels on the wall structure or wall by engaging the respective panel clips and corresponding fingers attached to the finger mount flange, in a friction-fit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by referenceprior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/557,530,filed Mar. 30, 2004.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to ceiling and wall panel attachment devices andmore particularly, to ceiling and wall panel clip assemblies, which inseparate embodiments are designed to secure panels such as decorativeceiling panels to a cross-tee ceiling structure and decorative wallpanels to a wall or wall structure. The ceiling panel clip elementincludes a main tee having a main tee leg which is typically, but notnecessarily, fitted with a top cross member and a bottom cross member,and having a transverse finger mount, with three spaced-apart fingersextending downwardly from the finger mount for removably engagingcorresponding companion, generally U-shaped spring-steel panel clipsattached to the ceiling panels, in a friction-fit. The ceiling panelclips may accommodate a support clip shaped to engage the top crossmember on the main tee leg of the ceiling panel clip and provided with adownwardly-extending support clip leg, to which is attached a lanyardsecured to an underlying, typically decorative, ceiling panel, forsafety purposes. In another preferred embodiment both the end fingersand the middle finger elements of the ceiling panel clip are serrated tomore securely, yet releasably, engage the respective cooperating panelclip elements in the clip assembly, which are attached to the respectiveceiling panels.

The wall panel clip embodiment of this invention includes an elongatedfinger mount flange fitted with spaced-apart mount screw openings forreceiving mount screws, facilitating attachment to a wall structure orwall. The finger mount flange is provided with outwardly-extending,spaced-apart end fingers and a middle finger, for engaging thecorresponding companion panel clips in the clip assembly, which aresecured to various types of wall panels. Accordingly, the respectivespaced-apart lengths of wall panel clips can be screwed, bolted, gluedor otherwise attached to a wall or wall mount in spaced-apartrelationship with respect to each other. Various, typically decorative,wall panels are fitted with the generally U-shaped spring-steel panelclips to engage the corresponding spaced-apart end fingers and middlefinger extending from the finger mount flange in the wall panel clipsand secure the decorative wall panels on the wall mount or wall in afriction-fit, for easy installation and removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a ceiling gridor support incorporating the ceiling panel clip elements of a ceilingpanel clip assembly of this invention, with a pair of decorative ceilingpanels removably installed thereon using companion spring-steel panelclips;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the ceiling grid and ceilingpanel clips illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating thedecorative ceiling panels and panel clips detached from the ceilingpanel clips;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pair of spaced-apart ceiling panelclips, a companion panel clip secured to a decorative panel and a pairof conventional cross-tee and 2-way clip elements of the ceiling grid,to which the ceiling panel clips are attached for securing the ceilingpanel clips to a ceiling;

FIG. 4 is an elevation, partially in section, of one of the ceilingpanel clips and a pair of panel clips in a typical ceiling panel clipassembly, along with supporting cross-tees and 2-way clips anddecorative ceiling panels illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pair ofspaced-apart wall panel clips of this invention attached to a wallmount, with several decorative wall panels in mounted position on thewall panel clips by operation of the companion panel clips;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the wall panel clips, the wall mount and apair of the decorative wall panels and panel clips in position formounting on the wall panel clips;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one end of a typical wall panel clip ofthis invention, more particularly illustrating preferred mount screwsfor attaching the wall panel clip to a wall or wall mount; and

FIG. 8 is an elevation, partially in section, of a typical wall panelclip assembly, including a wall panel clip secured to a wall mount andreceiving a panel clip on one of a pair of decorative wall panels, forremovable attachment of the wall panels to the wall mount.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings the ceiling panel clipsof this invention are generally illustrated by reference numeral 1 and,in combination with the companion U-shaped, spring-steel panel clips 32,define the ceiling panel clip assembly 25 (FIG. 4). The ceiling panelclips 1 each includes a main tee 2, characterized by a main tee leg 3,optionally fitted with a top cross member 4 and a bottom cross member 5,as further illustrated in FIG. 4. A finger mount 6 terminates the bottomend of the main tee leg 3 in perpendicular relationship thereto andincludes a pair of downwardly-extending end fingers 7 that arespaced-apart to accommodate a middle finger 8, also illustrated in FIG.4. Accordingly, the spaces between the respective end fingers 7 andmiddle finger 8 are sized to accommodate the respective and companionpanel clip legs 33 of the panel clips 32, attached to typicallydecorative ceiling panels 31, in a tight or friction-fit, for mountingthe decorative ceiling panels 31. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention the respective panel clips 32 are secured to the decorativeceiling panels 31 by panel grip mount screws 38, at spaced-apart pointsadjacent to the respective panel edges 36 and the panel sides 37, tofacilitate securing the respective panel clips 32 on the decorativeceiling panels 31 to the single ceiling panel clips 1 to define panelmatch lines 35 between respective panel edges 36, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

In a preferred embodiment the respective pairs of spaced-apart ceilingpanel clips 1 are secured to the corresponding conventional,spaced-apart cross-tees 20, each connected in any suitable manner to aceiling or ceiling mount (not illustrated) and each having a cross-teeleg 21 with cross-tee leg slots 21 a, and a cross-tee flange 22extending across the top of the cross-tee legs 21, respectively. Across-tee slot 23 is provided in selective ones of the cross-tee legs 21for engaging a conventional coupling 2-way clip 27, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Each 2-way clip 27 further includes anend flange 28, designed to engage a corresponding clip slot 9 providedin the main tee leg 3 of a corresponding ceiling panel clip 1 and a pairof spaced-apart side flanges 29 on each end, which extend through thecorresponding cross-tee slots 23 located in selected cross-tee legs 21of the cross-tees 20, as further illustrated in FIG. 3. The cross-teelegs 21 are typically each provided with a leg edge 24, as furtherillustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly, it will be appreciated from aconsideration of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings that the 2-way clips 27serve to secure the respective ceiling panel clips 1 in spaced-apartrelationship with respect to each other on the corresponding cross-tees20, to fabricate a ceiling grid or support from which to suspend thedecorative ceiling panels 31. When this grid has been constructed usingthe conventional 2-way clips 27 and the conventional cross-tees 20,mounted on a ceiling or ceiling structure (not illustrated) with therespective ceiling panel clips 1, the panel clips 32 on respectiveadjacent decorative panels 31 can be quickly and easily snapped into thecorresponding downwardly-extending, spaced-apart end fingers 7 andmiddle finger 8, projecting from the finger mount 6 of the ceiling panelclip 1. This action securely, yet removably, supports the respectivedecorative ceiling panels 31 along the corresponding panel match lines35, and aligned along the respective panel sides 37, as illustrated inFIG. 2 of the drawings.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings in another preferredembodiment of the invention a conventional support clip 10 ischaracterized by a support clip flange 11, extending downwardly from oneedge of a support clip cap 13 and having a support clip leg 14projecting downwardly from an opposite edge of the support clip cap 13from the support clip flange 11. A leg opening 12 is provided in thesupport clip leg 14 for receiving one end of a lanyard 15 at a lanyardloop 16, for securing the lanyard to the support clip leg 14 of thesupport clip 10. The lanyard 15 extends downwardly with the opposite endattached to a lanyard mount screw 17, fitted into a mount screw opening34, drilled or otherwise provided in the decorative ceiling panel 31.Accordingly, when the support clip 10 is fitted over the top end of themain tee 2 or over the top cross member 4 of the main tee 2 of a ceilingpanel clip 1 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lanyard 15 serves as a safetydevice to prevent the decorative ceiling panel 31 from inadvertentlyfalling beyond a specified point determined by the length of the lanyard15, during panel installation and removal procedures.

Referring again to FIG. 4 of the drawings in another preferredembodiment of the invention finger serrations 18 are provided on theinside surfaces of the respective spaced-apart end fingers 7 and on bothprojecting edges of the middle finger 8 of the ceiling panel clips 1 tobetter grip the corresponding panel clip legs 33 of the respectivecompanion panel clips 32 in the ceiling panel clip assembly 25, mountedon the corresponding decorative ceiling panels 31, typically with anapproximate 20 pound pull-out strength.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 of the drawings in another preferredembodiment of the invention the wall panel clip elements of a wall panelclip assembly 26 (FIG. 8) of this invention, are generally illustratedby reference numeral 40. Each wall panel clip 40 is characterized by afinger mount flange 6 a, from which project the spaced-apart end fingers7 and middle finger 8, typically provided with finger shoulders 19, asfurther illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The finger mount flange 6 a issufficiently wide to accommodate multiple wall panel clip mount screws41, extending through the mount screw openings 44 and engaging a wallmount 42, illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. The typicallydecorative wall panels 43 are fitted with companion, generally U-shapedspring-steel panel clips 32 using the panel clip mount screws 38, andhaving panel clip legs 33, as in the ceiling panel clip and panel clipassembly embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The panel clips 32 arespaced-apart along the inside surfaces of the respective decorative wallpanels 43, adjacent to the panel edges 36 and panel sides 37. The panelclip legs 33 of the panel clips 32 thus engage the corresponding endfingers 7 and middle finger 8 of the wall panel clip 40, as furtherillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Accordingly, it will beappreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 5-8 of the drawings that therespective decorative wall panels 43 can be joined end-to-end andtop-to-bottom to the corresponding wall clips 40, secured to the wallmount 42 in spaced-apart relationship, by engaging the respective panelclips 32 with the corresponding wall panel clips 40 in a wall panel clipassembly 26 friction-fit. This secure, yet removable, mounting of therespective decorative wall panels 43 on the corresponding wall panelclips 40 and the wall mount 42 facilitates quick and easy assembly anddisassembly of the decorative wall panels 43 to and from the wall mount42, as desired.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ceilingpanel clip 1 and wall panel clip 40 elements, together with the panelclips 32, define a ceiling panel clip assembly 25 and wall panel clipassembly 26 that can be utilized to secure various types ofpre-fabricated modules of the decorative ceiling panels 31 anddecorative wall panels 43 to various types of integral suspension webs,ceiling grids and supports, as well as walls and wall supports,respectively, as desired. Furthermore, it will be recognized from aconsideration of FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings that the ceiling panel clips1 can be used with or without the top cross member 4 and/or the bottomcross member 5, as well as the support clips 10 and the lanyard 15,according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Moreover,regarding the wall panel clips 40 illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 of thedrawings, the finger mount flange 6 a elements of the wall panel clips40 can be of any desired size to accommodate the necessary number andspacing of the mount screw openings 44 and mount screws 41, furtheraccording to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Also, in boththe ceiling panel clips 1 and the wall panel clips 40, the correspondingend fingers 7 and middle finger 8 can be of any desired length andspacing to facilitate accommodating the companion assembly panel clips32, each having a panel clip leg 33 spacing of corresponding dimensions,further according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove, it will be recognized and understood that various modificationsmay be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Having described my invention with the particularity set forth above,

1. A clip assembly for connecting a panel to a structure, said clipassembly comprising a structure clip characterized by a base connectedto the structure and at least three fingers extending from said base inspaced-apart relationship with respect to each other and at least onepanel clip provided on the panel for engaging said fingers of said baseand securing the panel to the structure.
 2. The clip assembly of claim 1wherein the structure includes a ceiling grid attached to a ceiling andwherein said base comprises a finger mount mounting said fingers and amain tee leg extending from said finger mount in substantiallyperpendicular relationship, wherein said main tee leg engages theceiling grid for supporting said structure clip and the panel beneaththe ceiling.
 3. The clip assembly of claim 1 wherein the structureincludes at least one cross-tee connected to a ceiling and at least one2-way clip connecting the cross-tee and wherein said base comprises afinger mount mounting said fingers; a main tee leg extending from saidfinger mount in substantially perpendicular relationship; and at leastone cross-member spaced from said finger mount, said cross-memberextending from said main tee leg, wherein said main tee leg engages the2-way clip for supporting said structure clip and the panel beneath theceiling.
 4. The clip assembly of claim 2 comprising a support clipengaging said main tee leg and a lanyard connected to said support clipand the panel for securing the panel to said support clip.
 5. The clipassembly of claim 1 wherein the structure includes a wall structure andwherein said base comprises a finger mount flange for seating on thewall structure and mounting said three fingers and a plurality offastener mount openings provided on said finger mount flange forreceiving fasteners and securing said finger mount flange to the wallstructure.
 6. The clip assembly of claim 3 comprising a support clipengaging said main tee leg and a lanyard connected to said support clipand the panel for securing the panel to said support clip.
 7. The clipassembly of claim 1 comprising at least one gripping element provided oneach of said fingers for gripping said at least one panel clip.
 8. Theclip assembly of claim 2 comprising: (a) a support clip engaging saidmain tee leg and a lanyard connected to said support clip and the panelfor securing the panel to said support clip; and (b) at least onegripping element provided on each of said fingers for gripping said atleast one panel clip.
 9. The clip assembly of claim 5 comprising ashoulder provided on each of said fingers for removably receiving thewall panel clips on the panel.
 10. A ceiling panel clip assembly forsupporting ceiling panels from a ceiling structure, said ceiling panelclip assembly comprising a plurality of ceiling panel clips, eachcharacterized by a main tee engaging the ceiling structure; a fingermount provided on said main tee and three fingers projecting from saidfinger mount in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other;and a plurality of panel clips mounted on said ceiling panels forremovably engaging said fingers on said finger mount, respectively, andremovably mounting the ceiling panels on said ceiling panel clips. 11.The ceiling clip assembly of claim 10 wherein said ceiling panel clipseach comprises at least one cross-member provided on said main tee inspaced-apart relationship with respect to said finger mount for engagingthe ceiling structure.
 12. The ceiling clip assembly of claim 11comprising a support clip engaging said at least one cross-member onsaid main tee leg of said ceiling panel clip and a lanyard connected tosaid support clip and the ceiling panels for securing the ceiling panelsto said support clip.
 13. The ceiling clip assembly of claim 11 whereinsaid at least one cross-member comprises a top cross-member defining oneend of said main tee and a bottom cross-member provided on said main teeof said ceiling panel clip between said top cross-member and said fingermount.
 14. The ceiling clip assembly of claim 13 comprising support clipengaging said top cross-member on said main tee leg of said ceilingpanel clip and a lanyard connected to said support clip and the ceilingpanels for securing the ceiling panels to said support clip.
 15. Theceiling clip assembly of claim 10 comprising at least one grippingelement provided on each of said fingers for gripping said at least onepanel clip.
 16. The ceiling clip assembly of claim 15 comprising asupport clip engaging said top cross-member on said main tee leg of saidceiling panel clip and a lanyard connected to said support clip and theceiling panels for securing the ceiling panels to said support clip. 17.A wall clip assembly for mounting panels on a wall structure, comprisinga plurality of wall panel clips, each characterized by a finger mountflange for seating on the wall structure; a plurality of fasteneropenings provided in said finger mount flange; fasteners extendingthrough said fastener openings and at least into the wall structure forsecuring said finger mount flange to the wall structure; three fingersextending from said finger mount flange in spaced-apart relationshipwith respect to each other; and a resilient panel clip provided on eachof the panels for engaging said three fingers on said finger mountflange, respectively, and removably mounting the panels on the wallstructure.
 18. The wall clip assembly of claim 17 comprising at leastone gripping element provided on each of said fingers for gripping saidat least one panel clip.
 19. The wall clip assembly of claim 17comprising a shoulder provided on each of said fingers for removablyreceiving the wall panel clips on the panel.
 20. A clip assembly forconnecting panels to a structure comprising a structure clip having abase for connection to the structure and three fingers extending fromsaid base in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other and apair of resilient panel clips provided on the panel for engaging saidfingers on said base and removably securing the panel to the structure.